The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 14, 1992
Filed:
Sep. 17, 1991
John R Botterill, Saarbrucken, DE;
GKN Automotive AG, , DE;
Abstract
A differential unit comprises a differential carrier (12) supported in a housing (11) for rotation; output elements (16, 17) differentially rotatable relative to the carrier and connected to respective output shafts; differential gears connecting the output elements; and a friction assembly comprising respective plates (22, 24) rotationally fast with elements of the differential, the friction assembly being axially loadable to restrict the differential rotation of the output elements. An actuating mechanism for loading the friction assembly comprises abutment and actuating rings angularly and axially movable relative to one another, with cam surfaces provided by circumferentially extending variable depth grooves in the rings with balls therebetween engaging the grooves. In order to avoid unintentional restriction of the differential action, the grooves and balls are arranged so that no frictional self-inhibition of relative movement between the abutment and actuating rings can occur.